-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A California Republican official has apologized for sending an e-mail that depicts President Barack Obama as a young chimpanzee .

`` To my fellow Americans and to everyone else who has seen the e-mail I forwarded and was offended by my action , I humbly apologize and ask for your forgiveness of my unwise behavior , '' Marilyn Davenport said in a statement obtained by CNN .

Davenport , who is a Tea Party activist and an elected member of the central committee of the Republican Party of Orange County , said she felt the e-mail was a joke , CNN affiliate KTLA reported .

The e-mail contains a doctored photo of what appears to be a family portrait of two adult chimpanzees posing with a young chimpanzee with Obama 's face pasted on it .

The caption that ran with the photo says `` Now you know why no birth certificate , '' the affiliate reported .

Davenport said she would not repeat her error in the apology that included two Bible passages .

`` I am an imperfect Christian lady who tries her best to live a Christ-like honoring life , '' the statement said . `` I would never do anything to intentionally harm or berate others regardless of ethnicity . So I ask for your forgiveness , for I am truly sorry . ''

Despite criticism , Davenport told the affiliate that she does not need to resign her position because of the e-mail .

Scott Baugh , chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County , said he was surprised by the e-mail .

`` There 's no question the e-mail is racist . The only question is what was in Marilyn 's heart , what was her intent . But I do n't think there 's anybody on her committee or anybody in the world really that does n't see it as a racist , '' Baugh said on CNN 's `` AC360 . ''

Baugh said he feels Davenport should resign .

`` The bottom line is being sorry for something and having a sincere apology does n't undo the action , it does n't stop the consequences , '' Baugh said . `` There 's still consequences for what she 's done and what she 's done will continue to bring controversy to my party so I 'm inclined to think at this time that she should still resign from the committee . ''

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New : A Republican chairman says Marilyn Davenport should resign

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The e-mail contains a doctored photo of a young chimpanzee with Obama 's face on it

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Davenport says that sending the e-mail was `` unwise behavior ''

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Despite criticism , the official says she does not need to resign